Side dump bucket



Sept. 10, 1968 K. SALNA SIDE DUMP BUCKET Filed Feb. 9, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATT'Y.

Sept. l0, 1968 K. sALNA SIDE DUMP BUCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 1967 INVENTOR KARL SAL NA ATT'Y.

United States Patent O 3,400,845 SIDE DUMP BUCKET Karl Salna, Mundelein, Ill., assigner to International Harvester Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation l Delaware Filed Feb. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 614,869 Claims. (Cl. 214-768) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A side dump bucket `for a tractor loader having a bucket latching device incorporating lock mechanisms which operate to alternatively lock either side of the bucket to a bucket carrier. A lock actuator is moved from a center position in which both locks are latched to either of two side positions in which a selected one of the locks is unlatched while the other lock is latched.

Background of the invention The subject matter of this `invention pertains to material handling implements for construction equipment machinery. More particularly the invention relates to a side dump bucket latching device incorporating a lock actuating mechanism providing safety interlock features.

In existing side dump bucket designs various methods have been proposed to achieve a reliable mechanism permitting selective dumping to one side or the other of the loader. `One such design is shown in the patent to Anderson No. 3,022,910 in which a plurality of hinged straps secured between a bucket and the carrier on the boom arms are provided. In the patent to Boughton No. 3,144,147 a bucket carrier is itself hinged for pivoting to one side while the bucket is hinged to a top carrier for pivoting to the other side. In the side dump bucket of Pensa No. 3,268,101 the bucket pivots to either side about pairs of retractable pins which are hydraulically operated to engage and disengage with corresponding pin receiving members on the bucket. The patent to Keskitalo No. 3,203,565 illustrates a bucket which is selectively secured to pivot members which in turn pivot relative to the bucket carrier for the side dumping operation.

In these conventional side dump bucket designs it has been found that it is dimcult to lock and unlock the bucket with the bucket carrier for the side dumping operation. In some instances the locking mechanism may fail and the loaded bucket fall from the bucket carrier. Furthermore, the existing designs are complicated, expensive to construct, and require many parts contributing undesirable weight to the bucket structure. What is required is a design which will be simple and economical to construct while at the same time providing positive locking and unlocking of the bucket to the carrier in such a way as to eliminate the chance of accidental failure of the latching mechanism.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to a side dump bucket for a tractor loader incorporating lock mechanisms on a bucket carrier which lock and unlock selected sides of the bucket to the carrier, and with a lock actuator movable from a position latching both locks to either of two selected positions for latching one side while unlatching or releasing the other to permit side dumping of the bucket. The actuator is constructed so that it is impossible to release both sides of the bucket at the same time. This eliminates the chance of the bucket falling accidentally from the bucket carrier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a side dumping bucket having a lock actuating mechanism which,

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when one side of the bucket is locked to the bucket carrier and the bucket is pivoted for side dumping, automatically prevents movement of the lock. actuator from the latched position until the bucket returns to the carrier. This is achieved by employing a pair of lock mechanisms pivotally mounted on the carrier to engage pivot members on the bucket, and with an actuator member on the cary rier having ends which engage and disengage with cam surfaces on the locks so that with either lock in its released position the corresponding end of the actuator will engage the lock cam surface to prevent the actuator from moving until the lock returns to its locked position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a latching mechanism for a side dump bucket in which a pair 0f bucket engaging locks on the carrier are provided with camming surfaces which form an inwardly diverging angle with respect to corresponding cam surfaces on the carrier and in which an actuator member is provided with ends adapted to wedge between the diverging cam surfaces so that a locking force is continually exerted on the bucket during a side dumping operation.

Description of the drawings These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevation view illustrating a side dump bucket assembly embodying elements incorporating features ot the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation view partially in crosssection, of the invention of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation view similar to FIGURE 2 with a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit and illustrating a right side dumping operation;

FIGURE 5 is an elevation view of a portion of the latching mechanism of the invention illustrating locking of the right side of the bucket; and

FIGURE 6 is an elevation view similar to FIGURE 5 illustrating unlocking of the bucket.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG- URES l and 2 a side dump bucket assembly according to the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. The assembly 10 is adapted for pivotal mounting on a pair of boom arms 12 of a conventional tractor loader (not shown). Forward and rearward pivoting of the bucket is etfected through operation of a conventional bucket operating linkage, of which only the links 14 are illustrated.

The bucket assembly 10 comprises a front loading, side dumping bucket 16 mounted in a novel manner on the bucket carrier 18. The carrier 18 is in turn pivotally mounted to the boom arms 12 by means of pivot pins 20. The bucket is releasably attached to either side of the carrier by means of pivot assemblies 22 and 24 which are mounted at respective ends of the bucket and which engage and disengage with lock mechanisms 26 and 28 secured to the carrier.

An extensible hydraulic ram 30 is provided to pivot the bucket to either side of the carrier. The ram 30 is pivotally mounted at its head end to the carrier 18 by means of pin 32 and at its rod end to bucket 16 by means of pin 34. With the ram 30 in its neutral position with the rod extended approximately half way bucket 16 is positioned with both ends on the carrier. Extension of the ram from this neutral position will pivot bucket 16 about pivot assembly 22 for right side dumping with respect to carrier 18. This is accomplished when lock mechanism 28 is released while lock mechanism 26 operates to lock pivot assembly 22 to the carrier. Retraction of ram 30 from its center position will operate to pivot bucket 16 about pivot assembly 24 for left side dumping. For this operation lock mechanism 26 is released while mechanism 28 is locked.

Pivot assembly 22 will now Ibe described in greater detail, it being understood that assembly 24 is identical in construction to that of assembly 22. The assembly 22 comprises a pivot member 36, which preferably is a transverse pin secured between spaced apart brackets 38 and 40 Which in turn are secured to the outwardly sloping end 42 of bucket 16. With pivot assembly 22 engaged with carrier 18 pivot member 36 is adapted to seat onto a pair of saddle members 44 and 46 secured to the side of carrier 18. Each saddle is formed with an upperly facing arcuate surface 48 adapted to releasably receive the pivot member. Pivot member 36 is rotatably mounted about axis 37 between the brackets 38 and 40 so that as the bucket pivots to the side the brackets will pivot relative to the pivot member.

Lock mechanism 26 is provided to releasably lock pivot assembly 22 to the saddle members. Lock mechanism 28, which is similar in construction to that of mechanism 26, is mounted at the other side of carrier 18 to releasably lock pivot assembly 24.

As best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 lock mechanism 26 comprises a pair of detents 50 and 52 secured to a lock pivot pin 54 which in turn is pivotally mounted about axis 56 between a pair of brackets 58 and 60 secured to the carrier. Axis 56 is offset inwardly from pivot member axis 37 so that with lock mechanism 26 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 the detents will clamp pivot member 36 to saddle members 44 and 46.

The detents are formed with outwardly extending projections 62 and 64 (FIGURES l and 4) which engage the lower side of pivot member 36 as the pviot assembly moves into engagement with the lock mechanism. This functions to pivot lock mechanism 26 clockwise about axis 56 so that detents 50 and 52 automatically overlap pivot member 36. When pivot member 36 is moved out of engagement with the corresponding projections 62 and 64 a tension spring 66 operates to pivot the lock mechanism counterclockwise into the position illustrated in FIGURE 6.

Lock mechanism 26 is provided with an inwardly extending cam arm 68 having a lower cam surface 70 and `an upper cam surface 72. The opposite lock mechanism 28 is also provided with a similar cam arm 74 having a lower cam surface 76 and an upper cam surface 78.

With the bucket cradled on the carrier as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 the bucket may be operated for digging and carrying. In this position both lock mechanisms are latched by means of a lock actuator assembly 80 so that both sides of the bucket are secured to the carrier. Lock actuator assembly 80 comprises a frame member 82 mounted on carrier 18 for transverse sliding movement. Two pairs of rollers 84 and 86 are mounted at opopsite ends of the frame member. The rollers roll on respective cam surfaces 88 and 90 secured to carrier 18. An extensible hydraulic ram 92 is mounted between the carrier and frame member. In the neutral position of ram 92 the lock actuator assembly is centered on the carrier as illustrated in FIGURE 2. In this position both pairs of rollers 84 and 86 prevent lock mechanisms 26 and 28 from disengaging from the pivot assemblies. Thus, rollers 84 are positioned between cam surfaces 88 and 70 to prevent counterclockwise movement of lock mechanisms 26 while rollers 86 are positioned between cam surfaces 90 and 76 to prevent clockwise movement of lock mechanism 28.

Extension of ram 92 will move lock actuator assembly 80 to the right so that rollers 86 will disengage from cam arm 74 and permit lock mechanism 28 to release the left side of the bucket. At the same time rollers 84 at the right side of the actuator assembly are moved further under cam surface 70 so that lock mechanism 26 continues to lock pivot member 36. This position is illustrated in FIGURE 4. Hydraulic ram 30 may now be extended from its neutral position to pivot bucket 16 for right side dumping.

For left side dumping ram 92 is retracted from its neutral position so that rollers 84 move away from cam surface 7) to release lock mechanism 26 while rollers 86 move further under cam surface 76 of lock mechanism 28. This releases pivot assembly 22 so that ram 30 may be retracted from its neutral position to pivot the bucket to the left.

The hydraulic control system for operating both bucket tipping ram 30 and lock actuator ram 92 is shown in FIGURE 4. Fluid under pressure from pump 93 is delivered to valve 94 which is controlled by operating handle 96. Manipulation of handle 96 operates the valve to direct iluid under pressure into conduit for right side dumping and into conduit 98 for left side dumping. Fuid from conduit 100 is directed into branch conduits 102 and 104 to extend rams 30 and 92 respectively while fluid from conduit 98 is directed into branch conduits 106 and 168 to retract the rams.

With the bucket cradled on the carrier as illustrated in FIGURE 2, and upon operation of valve 94 for either right or left side dumping, ram 92 will rst move the lock actuator assembly until either of the lock mechanisms is released. The lock mechanism will then pivot out of engagement with its respective pivot assembly to permit operation of ram 30 for side dumping of the bucket.

Throughout the dumping operation lock actuator ram 92 remains pressurized. This insures that the lock actur ator assembly remains in positive engagement with the lock mechanism on the side to which the bucket is being dumped. An important feature of this invention is to utilize this force from ram 92 to provide a positive force clamping the lock member against its respective pivot member. In the preferred embodiment of applicants invention this is achieved by forming the lower camming surfaces of each lock mechanism with an inwardly diverging angle with respect to the opposing flat cam surface on the carrier. FIGURE 5 illustrates this modification for the right lock member 26. Thus, lower cam surface 70 is formed at a slightly inwardly diverging angle a with respect to cam surface 88. With actuator assembly 80 tending to Wedge rollers 84 between the two cam surfaces a clockwise moment will be produced on cam arm 68, thus clamping pivot member 36 between detent 50 and saddle members 44 and 46.

After the material has been dumped from the bucket the operator will manipulate handle 96 so that valve 94 will direct iluid under pressure through the appropriate conduit for pivoting the bucket to its cradled position on the carrier. During this return of the bucket to the carrier applicants invention insures that the pivot assembly about which the bucket is tipping `does not become unlocked. This is accomplished by positioning the cam arm of each lock mechanism in the path of the end of the actuator assembly when such lock mechanism is in the unlatched position. Thus, after the right side dumping operation illustrated in FIGURE 4, left lock mechanism 28 has pivoted clockwise to its unlatched position so that upper cam surface '78 of the cam arm has moved to prevent movement of actuator assembly 88 to the left. This insures that rollers 84 on the right of the actuator assembly remain engaged with cam arm 68 until bucket 16 has returned to its cradled position.

Applicants invention also conteplate's that movement of the actuator assembly against the cam arm of the lock mechanism in the unlatched position will tend to hold such lock mechanism unlatched until the bucket reaches its cradled position. This insures that the cam arm will not interfere with the path of the pivot member as it approaches its seated position on the saddles. This lfeature is illustrated in FIGURE 6 where the right lock mechanism 26 is illustrated in the unlatched position with actuator assembly 80 being forced to the right through the action of ram 92. 'Ihe line which is normal to the point of contact of rollers 84 to upper cam surface 72 lies inward and below the lock pivot pin 54 'by the distance 112. The resultant force of the rollers against the cam along this normal line creates a small counterclockwise moment 114 tending to hold the lock mechanism in the unlatched position. As the bucket approaches its cradled position contact of pivot member 36 against lock projections 62 and 64 will create a clockwise moment sufficient to pivot the lock mechanism into its latched position by overcoming both spring 66 and moment 114.

After the cam arm of the lock mechanism clears the rollers and reaches the locked position, ram 92 will move actuator assembly 80 so that the rollers are moved under the cam arm to latch the lock mechanism. The operator will then manipulate control valve 94 to terminate operation of ram 92 in its neutral position so that both sides of the bucket are locked to the carrier for a subsequent digging cycle.

In view of the foregoing description it is clear that applicant has provided a new and useful latching mechanism 4for use with a material handling loader having a side dumping bucket providing efcient and safe latching of either or both sides of the bucket to the bucket carrier.

What is claimed is:

1. A latching mechanism for use with a material handling loader having a carrier and a bucket mounted on the carrier for selective dumping about a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending axes, the mechanism comprising the combination of -a pair of pivot members on the bucket, each pivot member being adapted to engage and disengage with the carrier about a respective dumping axis, the bucket being arranged to laterally pivot about a selected pivot member after engagement thereof with the carrier; means to pivot the bucket about a selected pivot member; a pair of locks, each -lock pivotally mounted on the carrier adjacent a respective axis yand adapted to pivot to a first position locking a respective pivot member to the carrier and to a second position unlocking the pivot member; a pair of arms, each arm being constrained for movement with a respective lock and extending inwardly of the carrier; a lock actuator member positioned on the carrier between the locks land having laterally extending ends, each end being adapted to engage a respective arm to hold its lock to the first position, and to disengage from the arm to release the lock, the actuator member being movable from a center position wherein both ends engage their respective arms, to a first position wherein one end engages its respective arm and the other end disengages `from its arm, and to a second position wherein the other end engages its respective arm and the one end disengages from its arm.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each pivot member comprises a longitudinally extending pivot pin secured to the bucket, and further i 1cludiag a pair of saddle members, each saddle member' being mounted on the carrier along a respective axis and adapted to support a corresponding pin for lateral pivoting of the bucket.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each lock is formed with a Seat for releasably receiving the pivot member, the pivot member acting against the seat to pivot the lock to its first position.

4. The combination as defined in claim 2 and further including a detent on each lock to hold the respective pin against the corresponding saddle member when the lock is in its first position.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each arm comprises a transversely extending; first cam surface, and the carrier is formed with a pair of second cam surfaces, each second surface being adjacent to and spaced from a respective first surface with the respective lock in its first position, each end of the actuator being positioned between corresponding first and second surfaces during said engagement of the ends with the arms.

6. The combination as deiined in claim 5 wherein each first cam surface diverges inwardly from the respective second cam surface when the lock is in its first position whereby upon movement of the actuator to its first or second positions the respective engaging end wedges between the cam surfaces to pivot the lock against the pivot member.

7. The combination as defined in claim 1 and further including means to resiliently urge each` lock to its second position when the corresponding end of the actuator is disengaged therefrom, each arm further being formed with a top cam surface which is adapted, with the lock in the second position, to contact its respective actuator end upon movement of the actuator toward the lock and prevent disengagement of the other actuator end from its respective lock.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein each top cam surface contacts the actuator end along a normal line passing inwardly of the lock pivot whereby outward movement of the actuator urges the lock to its second position.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a pair of rollers, each roller mounted on a respective actuator end for rotatable contact with the arm of the respective lock.

1t). The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the means to pivot the bucket comprises a first extensible hydraulic ram, and further including a second extensible hydraulic ram for operating the actuator member, and hydraulic circuit means for directing fluid under pressure to the first and second rams to move 'the actuator from its center position to lock the selected pivot member and to pivot the bucket about said selected pivot member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,072,998 3/1937 Allin 298-18 FOREIGN PATENTS 939,756 4/1948 France.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

